Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) — strategy + stream selection
Picks the right TSS / SID stream (Specialist Skills / Core Skills / Labour Agreement) post-December 2024 reform. SBS + Nomination + Visa.
Variables · 77 required
On 7 December 2024, the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the previous Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa structure. The new framework has THREE streams (replacing the old short-term + medium-term split):
(1) SPECIALIST SKILLS STREAM — for workers earning ≥AUD 135,000 (Specialist Skills Income Threshold / SSIT). Fast-track processing (7-day median target). No occupation list restriction. Direct PR pathway after 2 years.
(2) CORE SKILLS STREAM — for workers earning ≥AUD 73,150 (Core Skills Income Threshold / CSIT). Must be on Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). PR pathway available.
(3) LABOUR AGREEMENT STREAM — for workers under industry / project-specific labour agreements. Bespoke terms.
Three-stage application process:
Stage 1 — Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS): [EMPLOYER_NAME] must be approved as sponsor (or use Accredited Sponsor pathway)
Stage 2 — Nomination: [EMPLOYER_NAME] nominates [CLIENT_NAME] for the specific occupation + role
Stage 3 — Visa application: [CLIENT_NAME] applies for the visa
Draft Subclass 482 (SID) strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] employed at [EMPLOYER_NAME] as [OCCUPATION_TITLE] (ANZSCO [ANZSCO_CODE]) at AUD [ANNUAL_SALARY_AUD] in [WORK_LOCATION].
§1 — STREAM ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION (200-250 words)
Compare [ANNUAL_SALARY_AUD] to:
• SSIT (AUD 135,000): if salary ≥ SSIT → Specialist Skills Stream available
• CSIT (AUD 73,150): if salary ≥ CSIT but < SSIT → Core Skills Stream (with CSOL check)
• Below CSIT: not eligible for standard SID; consider Labour Agreement OR another visa class
For [ANZSCO_CODE]:
• If Specialist Skills Stream: any ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 occupation (no list restriction)
• If Core Skills Stream: must be on current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• Verify [ANZSCO_CODE] is on CSOL at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Recommended stream for [CLIENT_NAME]: [Specialist / Core / Labour Agreement]
Justification: [based on salary + ANZSCO + employer context]
Stream advantages:
Specialist Skills (SSIT ≥AUD 135,000):
• Fastest processing (median 7 days target)
• No occupation list constraint
• Direct ENS (186) PR pathway after 2 years
• Less administrative burden
Core Skills (CSIT ≥AUD 73,150):
• Wider talent pool eligible
• CSOL list-based occupation restriction
• ENS PR pathway after 2 years
• Standard processing (~1-3 months)
Labour Agreement:
• Bespoke terms negotiated with DHA
• Suitable for industry-wide skills shortages, regional employers, specialist projects
• Slower setup (6-12 months for agreement negotiation)
§2 — SPONSORSHIP REQUIREMENTS (180-220 words)
[EMPLOYER_NAME] requires:
For Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS):
• Active Australian business registered with ABN
• Lawfully operating for ≥12 months
• No adverse history (compliance / labour law)
• Commitment to recruit Australian workers (Genuine Need + LMT — Labour Market Testing)
• SAF (Skilling Australians Fund) levy:
- Small business (turnover <AUD 10M): AUD 1,200/year per nominee
- Other: AUD 1,800/year per nominee
• SBS validity: 5 years (auto-extended in some cases)
• Sponsorship obligations: must keep records 5 years, may be subject to monitoring
For Accredited Sponsor (alternative):
• Stricter criteria; reserved for established employers with strong compliance history
• Faster processing for nominations + visas
• Reduced LMT requirements
• Annual reporting obligations
For [EMPLOYER_NAME]:
• Confirm current SBS status (active vs new application)
• Confirm ANZSCO [ANZSCO_CODE] is within sponsor's scope
• Calculate SAF levy based on business size
§3 — LABOUR MARKET TESTING (LMT) (180-220 words)
LMT requirement: [EMPLOYER_NAME] must demonstrate genuine attempt to recruit Australian workers before nominating [CLIENT_NAME].
For most ANZSCO occupations:
• Advertise on at least 3 platforms for at least 28 days
• One of: Workforce Australia, LinkedIn jobs, Indeed, JobBank, JobActive
• Including: occupation title, salary, location, contact, role description matching ANZSCO duties
• Within 6 months of nomination submission
LMT exemptions (verify current):
• Specialist Skills Stream — generally exempt
• International Trade Obligations (ITO) under CAFTA, JAEPA, KAFTA, etc.
• Major investments
• Some intra-corporate transferees
For [ANZSCO_CODE]: confirm LMT exemption applicable; if not, [EMPLOYER_NAME] must complete LMT before nomination.
§4 — KEY DATES + PROCESSING (130-160 words)
Stage 1 (SBS application): 4-12 weeks for new SBS approval; ongoing for existing
Stage 2 (Nomination): 1-4 weeks
Stage 3 (Visa application):
• Specialist Skills: 7-day median target
• Core Skills: 1-3 months
• Labour Agreement: varies
Visa fees (verify current — December 2024):
• Specialist Skills: AUD 1,495 (worker)
• Core Skills: AUD 1,495 (worker)
• SAF levy paid by employer at nomination
• Plus spouse / dependents fees (separate calculation)
Visa duration:
• Specialist Skills: 4 years
• Core Skills: 4 years (some 2-year if related to short-term)
• Labour Agreement: per agreement
§5 — POST-VISA PR PATHWAY (60-80 words)
After 2 years of work with [EMPLOYER_NAME] on SID:
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme — Direct Entry / Temporary Residence Transition
• TRT stream available after 2-3 years (depending on occupation tier)
• PR with employer sponsorship + nominated occupation
• Pathways to Australian citizenship after 4 years of legal residence (with PR for 12+ months immediately preceding application)
End with: "DRAFT SUBCLASS 482 (SID) STRATEGY — for MARN-registered agent review. December 2024 reform replaced TSS with SID — verify current stream + threshold figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. SAF levy is non-refundable; [EMPLOYER_NAME] should budget."